Load binders



V. S. DURBIN LOAD BINDERS Dec. 24, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 8,1966 INVENTOR VOTAW S. DURBIN MuMd Pwd-Q ATTORNEYS V. S. DURBIN LOADBINDERS Dec. 24, 1968 s SheetS-Shet :5

Filed Aug. 8, 1966 I QI up UE INVENTOR VOTAW S. DURBIN ATTO RN EYSUnited States Patent 0 3,418,608 LGAD BINDERS Votaw S. Din-bin,Durbin-Durco, Inc., 1435 Woodson Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63132 Filed Aug.3, 1966, Ser. No. 570,873 6 Claims. (Cl. 280-179) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The load binder includes a lever with a bifurcated endproviding a pair of jaws. Tension membres are pivotally mountedinternally and externally of the jaws, the pivot axes of the membersbeing relatively spaced longitudinally of the jaws. With the leverdisposed in one position, the tension members are extended. In areversed position the tension members are retracted. The jaws includeoutwardly projecting ears received by keyhole slots in the external orclevis member, whereby to secure said member pivotally to the jaws. Alatch pin holds the tension members in a locked position when the binderis in use.

This invention relates generally to improvements in load binders, andmore particularly to improvements in toggle-type tensioning devices suchas may be employed in tightening a chain, cable or the like, as forexample, in the securement of logs, pipes, poles and similar articlestogether as a unit load in place on vehicles for the purpose ofpreventing shifting of the load. Numerous other fields of usage ofdevices of this general order are well known.

An important objective is achieved by constructing the lever of the loadbinder so that it can be forged or cast in one piece. The levercomprises an elongate handle having a furcate end with a month betweenjaws, the mouth being open at the end and at opposite sides of thehandle, and having an elongate groove in one said side to provide asubstantially U-shaped cross-section. The surfaces of the handle aredrafted and tapered in the same direction from an elongate draft axistoward the said one side so that the handle can be forged or cast.

Another important objective is realized by the provision of an earintegral with the extending outwardly from each jaw, the ears beinglocated on the draft axis of the handle so that the ears can be formedwhen the handle is forged or cast. It is advantageous to provide anangularly related end portion on each ear extending and tapered in thesame direction from the draft axis toward the said one side.

.Yet another important objective is attained by the provision of a firsttension member pivotally mounted to the jaws and located in the mouth,and a second tension member pivotally mounted to the jaws and locatedexternally of the mouth, the pivot axes of the tension members beingrelatively spaced longitudinally of the jaws. When the lever is disposedin one relative position of the pivot axes, the tension members are heldextended, and when disposed in a relatively reversed position, thetension members are retracted. A feature of the present invention is toprovide a safety lock that selectively interconnects at least one of thejaws with one of the tension members to preclude unintentional movementof the tension members from the retracted position. Specifically, thesafety lock includes a pin selectively extending across the mouthbetween the jaws, the pin blocking pivotal movement of one tensionmember relative to the jaws.

An important objective is afforded in one embodiment by the provision oftransversely aligned holes receiving the latch pin, the latch pinblocking pivotal movement of one tension member relative to the jaws. Inone construction, the latch pin engages the said first tension member.

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Another important objective is provided by another embodiment in whichthe said first tension member is pivotally mounted on a first pivot axislocated near the ends of the jaws, while the said second tension memberis pivotally mounted on a second pivot axis located at a distanceinwardly of the first pivot axis. Aligned holes in the jaws are locatedat a distance inwardly of the second pivot axis. In a similarembodiment, the said second tension member is pivotally mounted on asecond pivot axis located near the ends of the jaws while the said firsttension member is pivotally mounted on a first pivot axis located at adistance inwardly of the second pivot axis. In this instance, thealigned holes are located near the ends of the jaws outwardly of thesecond pivot axis.

Still another important objective is achieved by the structuralarrangement in which one of the tension members is provided with atransverse hole receiving the latch pin, the latch pin engaging the jawsso as to block pivotal movement of said one tension member relative tothe jaws to preclude unintentional movement of the tension members fromthe retracted position.

An important objective is realized by the provision of a clevis,constituting the second tension member, having spaced arms embracing thejaws, the clevis arms being provided with key-hole slots receiving theoutwardly extending ears for ready assembly of the clevis to the lever.The cars and key-hole slots are relatively misaligned when the tensionmembers are in the extended or retracted position to preclude spreadingof the clevis arms under tensional forces.

Another important objective is to provide a load binder that is simpleand durable in construction, economical to manufacture and assemble,highly eflicient in operation, and which can be readily utilized by anyone with little or no instruction.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages of the inventionwill more clearly appear from the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments, particularly when considered in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a load binder showing the componentparts in extended position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the load binder of FIG. 1, butillustrating the component parts in a retracted position, and showingthe safety lock;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of the componentparts illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5' is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of the safety lock,operatively assembled, taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified load binder with thecomponent parts in the retracted position and retained by a modifiedsafety lock;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified load binder with thecomponent parts in an extended position;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the load binder of FIG. 7showing the component parts in the retracted position, and showing thecoacting safety lock;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, enlarged cross-sectional view of the safetylock, in operative position, taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a lever construction;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view as taken on staggered line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view as taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view as taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view as taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 10, and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view as taken on line 1515 of FIG. 11.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawing, and first tothe lever construction illustrated in FIGS. 15 inclusive, it will beunderstood that the lever generally indicated by 10 includes an elongatehandle 11 having a furcate end with a mouth 12 between jaws 13. It willbe noted that the jaws 13 have a slight angular bend longitudinally toprovide heels 14 having an arcuate configuration adapting the heels 14to be used as a cam when desired.

Formed substantially the length of handle 11 and in the underside is anelongate groove 15. The surfaces of the handle 11, including thosedefining the groove 15 and the jaws 13, are drafted and tapered in thesame direction from an elongate draft axis referred to by 16 toward theunderside of handle 11. This draft or taper of the handle 11 and jaws 13is perhaps best shown by the cross-sectional views, FIGS. 12-15. Thestructural arrangement enables the lever 10 to be forged or cast.

An ear 17 is formed integrally with each of the jaws 13, the ears 17being transversely aligned and extending laterally outwardly. The ears17 are substantially circular as seen in FIG. 11 and have theircoincident transverse axes located on the draft axis 16 of handle 11 sothat the ears 17 can be formed when the handle 11 is forged or cast.Each of the ears 17 includes an angularly related end portion 20extending and tapered toward the upper side of the lever 10 in adirection away from the draft axis 16, as is best illustrated in FIGS.11 and 15. This construction enables the cars 17, together with theirend portions 20, to be cast integrally with the jaws 13.

FIGS. 1 through 5 relate to a load binder of a type that can utilize aforged or cast lever such as that disclosed in FIGS. 10 through 15 andpreviously described. However, for the sake of clarity, the structure ofthe lever 21 in FIGS. 1 and 2 has been simplified. In this embodiment,the lever 21 includes a handle 22 having a furcate end with a mouth 23between jaws 24. A tongue 25, constituting a first tension member, ispivotally mounted by pin 26 to and between the jaws 24 at a so-calledfirst pivot axis located at a distance inwardly of the jaw ends. Thetongue 25 includes a pair of adjacent parallel leg portions 27 extendinginto and operating along or across the mouth 23. Besides the parallellegs 27, the tongue 25 is so formed as to provide a triangularly-shapedbight 30 at its outermost end. Swivelly attached to the bight 30 is aneye 31. A chain link 32 operatively connects the eye 31 to a hook 33.

In this embodiment, ears 34 are attached to the jaws 24 and extendlaterally outward, the ears 34 including angularly related end portions35 tapered toward the upper side of lever 21. The ears 34 aretransversely aligned to provide a so-called second pivot axis locatednear the ends of jaws 24.

A clevis referred to by 37, constituting a second tension member, ispivotally mounted to the jaws 24 at the second pivot axis defined byears 34 and is located externally of the mouth 23. Specifically, theclevis 37 includes a pair of arms 40 and 41 adapted to embrace theopposite, outer sides of jaws 24, the arms 40 and 41 being integrallyconnected by a transverse bridge 42. Each of the clevis arms 40 and 41is provided with a key-hole slot 43 adapted to receive a coacting ear 34and angularly related end portion 35' in a predetermined angularposition of the clevis 37 relative to the jaws 24. These cars 34 andcooperating key-hole slots 43 connections enable quick and easy assemblyof the clevis 37 to the jaws 24. In all other positions, the cars 34 andcooperating key-hole slots 43 are misaligned to preclude spreading ofthe clevis arms 40 and 41 under tensional force, and thereby precludedetachment of the clevis 37 from the jaws 24.

Swivelly mounted to the bridge 42 is an eye 44. A hook 45 is operativelyconnected to the eye 44 by an intervening chain link 46.

When the lever 21 is disposed to place the first and second pivot axesdefined respectively by pin 26 and by cars 34 in one relative position,such as that shown in FIG. 1, the tongue 25 and clevis 37 are held inthe socalled extended position of the load binder. When the lever 21 isswung approximately 180 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 1 to theposition shown in FIG. 2, the positions of the first and second pivotaxes are relatively reversed, and the tongue 25 and clevis 37 aredisposed in the so-called retracted position.

A safety lock selectively interconnects at least one of the jaws 24 withone of the tension members to preclude unintentional movement of thetongue 25 and clevis 37 from the retracted position of FIG. 2. Thissafety lock includes a latch pin 47 extending across the mouth 23between the jaws 24, the pin 47 blocking pivotal movement of tongue 25relative to the jaws 24. A crosspiece 50 is attached to one end of pin47 to facilitate digital manipulation. Hingedly connected to theopposite end of pin 47 is a spring loop 51. The jaws 24 are providedwith transversely aligned holes 52 near the ends of the jaws 24outwardly of the ears 34. When the spring loop 51 is axially extended asshown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the pin 47 can be inserted through the holes 52.When fully inserted, the spring loop 51 is flipped to one side of thepin 47 so as to preclude unintentional removal of the pin 47. When thepin 47 is inserted in the retracted position shown in FIG. 2, the pin 47will engage the tongue 25 and thereby prevent the tongue 25 from movingthrough the mouth 23 and between the jaws 24 back to the extendedposition. Thus, the lever 21 cannot be turned to release the tensionload applied by the tongue 25 and clevis 37 in the retracted positionuntil the pin 47 is intentionally removed. The pin 47 precludes thetongue 25 and clevis 37 from moving out of the retracted position shownin FIG. 2.

To utilize the load binder disclosed in FIGS. 1-5 inclusive, the tongue25 and clevis 37 are located in their extended position so that thehooks 33 and 45 can be attached to the load element, such as a chain(not shown). When attached, the lever 21 is swung from the positionshown in FIG. 1 to the position shown in FIG. 2

to bring the tongue 25 and clevis 37 to the retracted position undertension. In moving to the retracted position, the tongue 25 movesthrough the mouth 23 and across the holes 52. After the holes 52 arecleared by the tongue 25, the latch pin 47 is inserted through the holes52 and locked in place by the spring loop 51. The tongue 25 bears on thelatch pin 47 and precludes unintentional movement of the tongue 25 andclevis 37 from the retracted position.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the component parts are substantiallyidentical with the load binder of FIGS. 1-5, and corresponding referencenumerals will be utilized Wherever possible. The basic distinctionresides in the difierent construction of the safety lock. For example,in this embodiment of FIG. 6, a transverse hole 53 is provided in thetongue 25, the hole 53 clearing the jaws 24 when the tongue and clevis37 are disposed in the retracted position. A latch pin 54 is selectivelyinserted through the hole 53 and engages the opposed jaws 24 to precludereturn movement of the tongue 25 through the mouth 23 and between thejaws 24, and retains the tongue 25 and clevis 37 in the retractedposition. To avoid loss of the latch pin 54, the pin 54 is carried by [achain 55 fastened to link 32.

The load binder of FIGS. 7-9 inclusive is of slightly difierentconstruction than the load binder of FIGS. 1-5 inclusive. In thisembodiment, the lever 56 includes an elongate handle 57 formed ofcontiguous, mating plates that are spaced at one end to provide a mouth60 between opposed jaws 61. The jaws 61 have an angular configuration toform an arcuate heel 62.

The tongue 63, constituting the first tension member, includes a shank64 located in the mouth 60 and between the jaws 61, the shank 64 beingpivotally mounted near the ends of the jaws 61 by pivot pin 65. Thetongue 63 includes a hook 66 integral with the shank 64.

The clevis 37, constituting the second tension member, embrace the outersides of jaws 61. The clevis 67 includes spaced clevis arms 70interconnected by an integral bridge 71. The clevis arms 70 arepivotally connected to the jaws 61 inwardly of the pivot pin 65 byanother pivot pin 72. A hook 73 is swivelly mounted to the clevis bridge71.

The safety lock includes a latch pin 47 of substantially the same typeand construction as the latch pin 47 previously described with respectto the embodiemnt of FIGS. 1-5 inclusive. However, in this embodimentthe pin 47 is adapted to interfit aligned holes 74 formed in the heels62 of jaws 61, the holes 74 being located rearwardly of the pivot axisdefined by pivot pin 72.

To utilize the load binder of FIGS. 7-9, the torque 63 and clevis 67 arelocated in the extended position illustrated in FIG. 7 so that the hooks66 and 73 can be fastened to the load, such as a chain (not shown).After connection to the load, the lever 56 is swung from the positionillustrated in FIG. 7 to the position illustrated in FIG. 8 torelatively reverse the longitudinal positions of the pivot axes definedby pivot pins 65 and 72. When so moved, the tongue 63 and clevis 67 willbe moved to the retracted position under tension. In this retractedposition, the shank 64 of tongue 63 will clear the aligned transverseholes 74 so that the latch pin 47 can be selectively inserted. When thelatch pin 47 is attached, as shown in FIG. 9, the shank of the tongue 63will bear against the latch pin 47 and will be precluded from movingrelative to the jaws 61 in a direction such as would cause a return ofthe tongue 63 and clevis 67 back to the extended position.

In order to release the load binder, the latch pin 47 must be removedfirst. Then the lever 56 can be swung from the position shown in FIG. -8to the position shown in FIGURE 7 so as to relatively reverse thelongitudinal positions of the pivot axes defined by pivot pins 72 and65, and thereby move the tongue 63 and clevis 67 to the extendedposition and release the tension exerted on the chain (not shown).

Although the invention has been described by making detailed referenceto several embodiments, such detail is to be understood in aninstructive, rather than in any restrictive sense, many variants beingpossible within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a load binder:

(a) an elongate lever including a handle and a furcate end with a mouthbetween jaws,

(b) a first tension member pivotally mounted to the jaws and located inthe mouth,

(c) a second tension member pivotally mounted to the jaws and locatedexternally of the mouth,

(d) the pivot axes of the tension members being relatively spacedlongitudinally of the jaws,

(e) the lever being disposed in one relative position of the pivot axesto hold the tension members extended, and being disposed in a relativelyreversed position of the pivot axes to hold the tension membersretracted, and

(f) a safety lock selectively interconnecting at least one of the jawswith one of the tension members to preclude unintentional movement ofthe tension members from the retracted position, g) the safety lockincludes a latch pin,

(h) the jaws being provided with transversely aligned holes receivingthe latch pin between the jaws, said holes being located outwardly ofsaid second tension member wherein the retracted position, the latch pinblocking pivotal movement of said one tension member in one directionrelative to the jaws to preclude unintentional movement of the tensionmembers from the retracted position.

2. A load binder as defined in claim 1, in which:

(i) the latch pin engages the said first tension member to precludepivotal movement of the first tension member within the jaws from itsrelative retracted position.

3. A load binder as defined in claim 2, in which:

(j) the said first tension member is pivotally mounted on a first pivotaxis located near the ends of the jaws,

(k) the said second tension member is pivotally mounted on a secondpivot axis located at a distance inwardly of the first pivot axis, and

(l) the said aligned holes are located at a distance inwardly of thesecond pivot axis.

4. A load binder as defined in claim 2, in which:

(j) the said second tension member is pivotally mounted on a secondpivot axis located near the ends of the aws,

(k) the said first tension member is pivotally mounted on a first pivotaxis located at a distance inwardly of the second pivot axis, and

(l) the aligned holes are located near the ends of the jaws outwardly ofthe second pivot axis,

(In) the handle of the elongate lever blocks pivotal movement of saidfirst tension member in the other direction.

5. A load binder as defined in claim 1, in which:

(i) the aligned holes are located near the ends of the jaws outwardly ofboth pivot axes of the tension members, and

(j) the handle of the elongate lever blocks pivotal movement of said onetension member in the other direction.

6. A load binder as defined in claim 1, in which:

(i) an ear is integral with and extends outwardly from each jaw, eachear having an angularly related end portion of smaller cross sectionthan the integrated portion to provide an over-all L-shape,

(k) the clevis arms are provided with keyhole slots receiving the earssubstantially without movement longitudinal of the slots, the ears andkeyhole slots begin relatively misaligned when the tension members arein extended or retracted positions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,518,769 12/ 1924 Brunk 280-1791,972,346 9/1934 Juline 24-68 2,512,491 6/ 1950 Durbin 25478 BENJAMINHERSH, Primary Examiner.

I. SIEGEL, Assistant Examiner.

